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GAP Commercialization Grant Program

The FSU Office of Commercialization is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2019 GAP Commercialization Grant competition.  

Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Location: Florida State Conference Center
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Detailed information on the Spring 2019 Grant Assistance Program (GAP) is included in the GAP Program Guide. If you are interested in participating please contact Beverlyn Samuels at (850) 644-9318.

Important Dates

  • Pre-proposal submission (electronic): Friday, March 8, 2019
    • NOTE: The pre-proposal is a two-three page executive summary  (use this form).  If accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
  • Approved pre-proposals announced: Friday, March 29, 2019
  • Final proposals due (hard copy AND electronic): Friday, May 3, 2019
  • Interactive review of PowerPoint presentations: Thursday, May 16, 2019
  • Final presentations to GAP committee: Thursday, May 30, 2019
  • GAP winners announced on or before Friday, June 21, 2019

Program Description

The FSURF GAP Program is designed to support enhancements of inventions or other original works that have been disclosed to FSU. It funds projects that FSU researchers and other interested parties agree will quickly improve the odds that current research results will lead to public availability of a new product or service.

The FSU Research Foundation has allocated up to $250,000 per year for at least four years to provide grants under this program.

GAP projects should reach completion in a year or less. Extensions will not be granted, unless significant justification for non-completion is approved. Funded tasks will be performed under the supervision of the proposing faculty member; but may include third party efforts within or outside the University. The grants will be funded to meet agreed project objectives. Grant funds may be used to pay labor expenses, or to obtain materials, services, and assistance outside the university; grants may not be used for student tuition or Principal Investigator(s) and faculty salaries. Overhead charges should not be included in project grant requests. Strong preference will be given to projects with timelines dictated by the nature of the project and not a standard one year duration, regular internal checkpoints, external participation, and funding requirements below $50,000.

The purpose of the GAP grant program is to prepare technology for commercialization and not to fund students, postdoctoral fellows, and basic research.  Payments to students and postdoctoral fellows may be an aspect of labor expenses.

Proposal Preparation

The GAP process is a two-step process.  Interested parties will submit a pre-proposal to be reviewed by an outside committee.  If selected, you will be invited to submit a complete proposal. For more information about the application process and a representative example please see the GAP Program Guide.

Evaluation, Awards and Reports

Initial review and comments will be provided by the Office of Commercialization.

Competitive review and funding recommendations will be provided periodically by a committee which is chaired by an FSURF board member and includes outside business members. Final approval will be made by the FSU Research Foundation Board of Directors.

Once funded, the faculty member and key personnel will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled checkpoints.

At completion, a brief Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related federal or other external grants.

GAP Committee

  • Gary K. Ostrander
    Vice President for Research
  • Eric Holmes
    Assistant Vice President for Research
  • Chris Eldred
    President Teligent EMS
  • Kim Williams
    President, Marpan Supply Co., Inc.
  • Don Rosenkoetter
    Managing Director, Co-Investment Partnership, LLC
  • Kay Stephenson
    President and CEO Datamaxx Group
  • Steve Evans
    Former Executive, IBM
  • Steve Roden
    Chief Executive Officer LearnSomething.com Inc.
  • Charles Ranson
    International Trade and Development Consultant
  • Chris Rumana
    Retired Physician

Previous GAP Awards

Program Contact

Submit your pre-proposal (electronic copy) and
proposal (electronic AND hard copy) to:
Beverlyn Samuels
Office of Commercialization
Florida State University
95 Chieftan Way, Dittmer Suite 312
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4391
bsamuels@fsu.edu